Hong Kong Roundup: Home Hopes Crushed In Women’s Draw

All hopes of local success in the 2015 Women’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open came crashing down during the second day of first round action at the PSA World Series tournament as all three local players went out at the first hurdle.

World No.10 Annie Au, the highest ranked female player in Hong Kong’s history, was the biggest casualty as she fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to New Zealand’s Joelle King, the former World No.4 who missed most of last season following an achilles injury, in front of a passionate home town crowd.

King was composed and controlled throughout the encounter as she executed a perfect game plan, preventing the dextrous Au from using her range of drop shots and lobs, hitting with power and precision to record a 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 and move into the second round to face Indian Joshna Chinappa.

“When you play Annie here you always have to play the crowd as well and that’s tough,” said King.

“She’s so dangerous, especially on this court, but I think my game plan worked really well. I managed to keep the ball away from her weapons and I got off pretty unscathed in the end so I’m happy with that, I think it was a solid performance, and I’m feeling fresh for tomorrow and looking forward to the second round.

“I had the injury and missed a lot of time on tour but that’s all put to bed now. I’m trying to get back to where I was, if not better, and I feel like I’m on the way top doing that and I feel like it’s all starting to come together.”

Former World No.1 Rachael Grinham halted the hopes of another local player, Ho Tze-Lok, while defending champion Nicol David began her bid to win a incredible 12th consecutive Hong Kong Open title with a straight forward victory over wildcard Liu Tsz-Ling.

David, who dropped to a ten year low of World No.3 in the December rankings, was in sublime form to see off the spirited challenger in just 35 minutes and will now line up with national compatriot Delia Arnold for a place in the quarter-finals.

“I have so many memories here in Hong Kong from winning my first World Championship title here to when I played my first junior event when I was 11 so I always get a good buzz being here,” said David.

“I always want to bring my best game to the front when I’m here and I enjoyed the match today, there was a good buzz from the crowd and I felt like I played well. She upped her game in the third but I managed to stick to my game plan and get off in three in the end.

“I’m enjoying playing at the moment and I’m trying to work on my performances. If I feel good and play well then results will come. I’m happy to be in the second round and I’m looking forward to another good game tomorrow.”

Elsewhere there were first round wins for Omneya Abdel Kawy, Dipika Pallikal and Frenchwoman Camille Serme.

Results – First Round (Bottom Half) 2015 Women’s Hong Kong Open, PSA World Series:
[4] Camille Serme (FRA) bt Tesni Evans (WAL) 3-0: 11-9, 13-11, 11-6 (38m)
[14] Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt Habiba Mohamed (EGY) 3-0: 11-9, 11-2, 11-2 (19m)
[11] Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [Q] Ho Tze-Lok (HKG) 3-0: 11-9, 11-8, 11-7 (28m)
[5] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY) bt [Q] Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 3-1: 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3 (27m)
Joelle King (NZL) bt [7] Annie Au (HKG) 3-1: 11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6 (43m)
[15] Joshna Chinappa (IND) bt [Q] Megan Craig (NZL) 3-0: 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 (26m)
[10] Delia Arnold (MAS) bt Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) 3-2: 3-11, 11-6, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10 (70m)
[2] Nicol David (MAS) bt [WC] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) 3-0: 11-3, 11-7, 16-14 (35m)

Draw – Second Round: 2015 Women’s Hong Kong Open, PSA World Series:
[1] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v [9] Low Wee Wern (MAS)
[12] Jenny Duncalf (ENG) v [8] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[6] Nouran Gohar (EGY) v [13] Emily Whitlock (ENG)
[16] Heba El Torky (EGY) v [3] Laura Massaro (ENG)
[4] Camille Serme (FRA) v [14] Dipika Pallikal (IND)
[11] Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [5] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
Joelle King (NZL) v [15] Joshna Chinappa (IND)
[10] Delia Arnold (MAS) v [2] Nicol David (MAS)